Device and method for shrinking visceral fat cells

ABSTRACT

A device and method for shrinking visceral fat cells includes a belt-like device and weighting members in a cooperative relationship such that cumulative weight equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer can be symmetrically arranged around the wearer&#39;s waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer&#39;s body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of human health and, more particularly, to methods and devices for reducing pericardial fat and visceral fat in human beings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity related diseases have become one of the most significant healthcare problems in the United States of America. In the human body, fat is present as “lipids” (a straight chain) or “triglycerides” (a trident like structure which is a combination of lipids and glycerol). Not only is fat consumed and stored by the human body but, also, fat is metabolized and created by the liver. Three important hormones regulate the fat in the body: Insulin, Leptin and Ghrelin. The presence of insulin creates more lipids that are released into the blood, while leptin acts as a catalyst to synthesize the lipids into triglycerides.

Leptin is called the “satiety hormone” and is said to make persons feel “full.” However, obese people display a leptin paradox. Leptin is produced by the “adipose cells” (fat cells) and obese individuals have high amounts of leptin. But, those people display high leptin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes and insulin.

Ghrelin is the hormone which makes persons have a sense of hunger. Ghrelin is secreted mainly by cells in the stomach and the duodenum. When the stomach is empty more ghrelin is produced. When the stomach is full ghrelin production stops.

Lipids are stored throughout the body, but primarily as subcutaneous fat (under the skin), intramyocellular fat (in the muscles and tissues), pericardial fat (around the heart) and visceral fat (in the liver and organs). Although intramyocellular fat can cause a person to look bulky and big, intramyocellular fat is not a major contributor to disease. Likewise, subcutaneous fat can be unsightly, but is not a major contributor to disease. Instead, the two main contributors to obesity related diseases are pericardial fat and visceral fat. Generally speaking, the human body stores visceral fat during sleep and stores it gradually. Pericardial fat can be fatal, as it can clog the pericardial artery which carries oxygenated blood to the heart; clogging this artery can result in the most serious of heart attacks.

SUMMARY

The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a device to be worn about the waist of a human being for shrinking visceral fat cells. The device, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a belt-like device having opposite free ends; a connector for adjustably connecting the free ends to secure the belt-like device about the waist of a human being; a series of pockets secured to the belt-like device for selectively receiving weights placed symmetrically around the waist; and weighting items for placement in the series of pockets for providing symmetrical weighting around the waist so that the belt-like device, the pockets and the weighting members can be arranged in a cooperative relationship such that the pockets selectively and cumulatively contain weight equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer and can be symmetrically arranged around the wearer's waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body.

The present invention, in another embodiment provides a method for shrinking visceral fat cells includes wearing a belt-like device and weighting members in a cooperative relationship such that cumulative weight equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer and can be symmetrically arranged around the wearer's waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and exemplary implementations of these inventions. One of skill in the art will understand that the drawings are illustrative only, and that what is depicted therein may be adapted, based on this disclosure, in view of the common knowledge within this field.

FIG. 1 is a generally pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in disassembled condition;

FIG. 2 is a generally pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in partially assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a generally pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in assembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a generally pictorial view of one embodiment of a component part the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a generally pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention being worn by a person;

FIG. 6 shows visceral fat measurement at two points in time for one individual;

FIG. 7 shows visceral fat measurement at two points in time for another individual; and

FIG. 8 shows an example of ‘normalized’ data for men and women patients who have used the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Various example embodiments of the present inventions are described herein in the context of reducing pericardial fat and visceral fat in human beings.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present inventions will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure, in light of what is known in the relevant arts, the provision and operation of information systems for such use, and other related areas. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary implementations of the present inventions as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the exemplary implementations described herein are shown and described. It will of course, be appreciated that in any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the specific goals of the product, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Throughout the present disclosure, relevant terms are to be understood consistently with their typical meanings established in the relevant art.

In FIG. 1, which is a generally pictorial view, a flexible belt-like device 11 made of fabric or other materials has opposite free ends 13 and 15. The device 11 is designed to be worn about the waist of an adult human being as shown in FIG. 5. As such, the opposite free ends 13 and 15 include a connector for adjustably connecting the free ends together to adjustably secure the belt-like device about the waist of a human being. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection is accomplished by Velcro strips 17 and 19 attached to the respective opposite free ends 13 and 15, respectively. Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the strips 17 and 19 attached to the respective inside and outside surfaces of the opposite free ends 13 and 15, respectively.

It should be appreciated that the depicted embodiment of the belt-like device 11 is exemplary only and that it can have various shapes and appearances. Likewise, the connector for adjustably connecting the free ends of the belt-like device 11 is exemplary only. In practice, the connector could be a buckle or any number of devices.

As further shown in FIG. 1, a series of pockets 23 a, 23 b, . . . 23 n are secured to the exterior of the belt-like device 11. The purpose of the pocket is to selectively receive weighting items that are placed symmetrically around the waist of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the pockets are sewn to the fabric of the belt-like device 1, but other attachment means can be used and, alternatively, the pockets 23 a, 23 b, . . . 23 n can be formed integral to the belt-like device 11.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a weighting item 33 to be received in one of the pockets 23 a, 23 b, . . . 23 n. In this embodiment, the weighting item 33 has the appearance of a small bag. In practice, the bag can contain any number of weighty (dense) materials. For example, the materials could be Sand, Calcium Carbonate, Barite, Hematite, Dolomite etc.”

It should be appreciated that the depicted embodiment of the weighting item 33 is exemplary only and that it can have various shapes and appearances. For example, the bag itself is unnecessary if the weighting item 33 is a single piece of dense material. Or, instead, each weighting item 33 could several, perhaps three, separate pieces.

At this juncture, it can be appreciated that FIG. 1 shows the belt-like device 11 and a weighting item 33 in a disassembled condition, FIG. 2 shows the belt-like device 11 and a weighting item 33 in a partially assembled condition, and FIG. 3 shows the belt-like device 11 and a weighting item 33 in an assembled condition. In practice, a weighting item 33 is placed in two or more pockets of the belt-like device 11 in order to provide symmetrical weighting around the waist of a wearer.

For reasons that will be explained below, the pockets selectively and cumulatively receive weight equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer with the weight being be symmetrically arranged around the wearer's waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body. The result of wearing the device over a period of time is to cause shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body.

As a basis for use of the present invention, it has been observed that the human body generally stores fat symmetrically around the center of gravity of the body, causing minimal weight displacement. Since there is no weight displacement, there is no change in balance or discomfort. Thus, most often, an individual does not sense the presence of fat. A human does not react to the fact accumulation because the body acclimatizes to the change.

Pericardial and visceral fat are not inert. They produce more leptin. In a healthy, athletic, individual this triggers a feeling a being “full” and the person eats less. In obese individuals, there is an abundance of leptin in the serum plasma, but their body displays a strong resistance to it and those individuals continue to feel hungry. An obese person secretes more ghrelin because their stomach expands to more than three times than that of a slim person. Since a larger stomach feels emptier, it produces more ghrelin. This in turn can cause a person to be hungrier, and to crave for more fatty foods. The extra lipids are stored as fat in the liver and organs.

More particularly, it has been observed that the extra lipids are stored as fat symmetrically around a person's center of gravity. Although the center of gravity can be gradually altered over time, the human body seems to maintain equilibrium by keeping its center of gravity stable.

The device of the present invention is effective because it causes the human body to employ its natural tendencies to cause a reduction in the body's fat. The present invention is based upon research that has shown that the human body responds to 5%-8% of external weight placed symmetrically around the waist of an overweight or obese person. The extra weight alters the body's natural center of gravity. Because the human body did not put on the extra weight internally, and the external extra weight subtly tilts the center of gravity, the human body attempts to compensate and bring the center of gravity back to its original state.

In practice, for a few days after wearing the device of the present invention, there is minimal response. This “Awareness Period” is the period the body assumes the extra load is minimal and transient. After the “Awareness Period,” the body responds to the added additional weight and the altered natural center of gravity of the wearer's body by:

-   -   1) reducing the leptin resistance, immediately causing an         increased feeling of “fullness;”     -   2) reducing ghrelin production, thereby reducing hunger; and     -   3) shrinking the visceral fat cells around the center of         gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat.

Tests have been conducted to show visceral fat in patients before and after use of the device of the present invention. In one exemplary patient (5′9″, 204 lbs, 46% body fat), tests showed that the patent's liver cell's nucleus were heavily distorted by the lipid accumulation. After 3 years of use of the device of the present invention, the same patient measured (5′9″, 148 lbs, 11% body fat). Tests on this patient showed that the patent's liver had lost their fat accumulation and that their nuclei were prominently displayed.

Although pericardial fat is difficult to measure, a strong correlation has been observed between it and visceral fat, which is easier to measure. As an example, FIGS. 6 and 7 show visceral fat that was measured with the Hitachi Medical CT SCENARIA machine, using 0.35 s/rot scanning technique was used using a 64 ch/128 slice. The “fatPointer” software, supplied by Hitachi Medical, uses the CT number to extract an area corresponding to visceral and/or subcutaneous fat. It displays visceral and subcutaneous fat in color and also calculates and displays their numerical area. Thus, with this correlation in mind, a reduction in the volume of visceral fat cells can be expected to be accompanied by a reduction in the volume of pericardial fat.

FIG. 6 shows (Case 1) that even with the same waist measurement (86 cm), an internal examination can reveal a different type of obesity. More particularly, FIG. 6 shows:

-   -   Subcutaneous fat obesity         -   Visceral fat area: 50 cm2         -   Subcutaneous fat area: 149 cm2         -   Abdominal circumference (CT): 86 cm.     -   Visceral fat obesity         -   Visceral fat area: 195 cm2         -   Subcutaneous fat area: 119 cm2         -   Abdominal circumference (CT): 86 cm.

FIG. 7 (Case 2) shows results of lifestyle improvements for a case of borderline diabetes.

-   -   Before the improvements:         -   Visceral fat area: 222 cm2         -   Subcutaneous fat area: 189 cm2         -   Abdominal circumference (CT): 96 cm.     -   After the improvements:         -   Visceral fat area: 66 cm2         -   Subcutaneous fat area: 81 cm2         -   Abdominal circumference (CT): 79 cm.

FIG. 8 shows an example of ‘normalized’ data for men and women patients who have used the device of the present invention. Normalization allows comparison of data between men of various heights and weights. Also, the data has been normalized for time. The graph of FIG. 8 shows a reduction in the relative percentage of visceral fat to about 30%. After such a reduction, a typical body seems to be satisfied with its “compensation” (i.e., reduction in visceral fat cells) and steady state is usually reached.

Exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to specific configurations. The foregoing description of specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description only, and although the invention has been illustrated by certain of the preceding examples, it is not to be construed as being limited thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device to be worn about the waist of a human being, the device comprising: a) a belt-like device having opposite free ends; b) a connector for adjustably connecting the free ends to secure the belt-like device about the waist of a human being; c) a series of pockets secured to the belt-like device for selectively receiving weights placed symmetrically around the waist; d) weighting items for placement in the series of pockets for providing symmetrical weighting around the waist; and e) the belt-like device, the pockets and the weighting items being arranged in a cooperative relationship such that the pockets selectively and cumulatively can contain weight equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer and can be symmetrically arranged around the wearer's waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the connector includes Velcro strips attached to the respective opposite free ends and are, respectively, attached to the respective inside and outside surfaces of the opposite free ends.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the weighting items are small bags for containing dense materials.
 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the dense material is selected from the group comprising Sand, Calcium Carbonate, Barite, Hematite, and Dolomite.
 5. A device to be worn about the waist of a human being for reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body, the device comprising: a) a belt-like device having opposite free ends; b) a connector for adjustably connecting the free ends to secure the belt-like device about the waist of a human being; c) a series of weighting items for selective placement symmetrically around the waist for providing symmetrical weighting around the waist; such that the weighting items cumulatively weigh about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer and are arranged to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the connector includes Velcro strips attached to the respective opposite free ends and are, respectively, attached to the respective inside and outside surfaces of the opposite free ends.
 7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the weighting items are small bags for containing dense materials.
 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the dense material is selected from the group comprising Sand, Calcium Carbonate, Barite, Hematite, and Dolomite.
 9. A method for shrinking visceral fat cells includes wearing a belt-like device and weighting members in a cooperative relationship such that cumulative worn weight is equal to about 5%-8% of the weight of the wearer and is generally symmetrically arranged around the wearer's waist to alter the natural center of gravity of the wearer's body to cause, over a period of time, shrinkage of visceral fat cells around the center of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of visceral fat within the body. 